North Mayo clubs continue to set the pace in the Masters

It was a goalfest this week in the Masters with 94 goals scored across eight games, an average of almost 12 per game on Wednesday night.

Ballyglass kept within the race for the Division One title with a 9-3 win over Ballyheane. Alan Plunkett and JP Reilly both netted four goals while Peter Quinn popped up with the remainder. A dismal season continues for Ballyheane, who looked destined for the drop. Ashley Stevenson, Martin Moran and Theron Coghill provided their goals for the relegation strugglers.

Roses were not the only thing that were red this Valentine’s Day. A jersey mix-up saw the Masters debut of the Ballyvary ‘Red’ Bombers, who had to borrow a set of kits from Ballyglass. Unfortunately, they did not inherit the good fortune the Swans had in their earlier game as they fell to a 13-4 defeat to Ballina Town. Paul Moran and Chris Maughan scored four goals each. Maughan’s second was a thing of beauty, as he deftly flicked the ball around the keeper and finished stylishly. John Durkan scored a hat trick while Aidan O’Hora and Malachy McCarron also got on the scoresheet. Mark Kilgallon (a hat trick) and Chris Kerins scored on a poor outing for the Bombers.

High-flying Iorras Aontaithe ended the night top of the table with a 6-4 win over Westport United. They were behind 3-2 at the break, having led 2-0 in the early stages. Eamon Carey had opened the scoring and Brendan Nallen doubled up but Dave Hoban and James Gill (a double) had Westport back in front. Mark Gilbert’s second half hat-trick and another from Nallen gave Iorras a big win. Mark Joyce netted the remainder for Westport.

In Division Two, Manulla A’s 8-6 win over Straide & Foxford piled the pressure on league leaders Conn Rangers, who lost this week. Shane Durkan netted four for Manulla in a fine all-round performance. Declan Tonra scored twice while Roger Clarke and James Cunningham were on the scoresheet. Enda Grimes and Michael Prendergast scored a brace each with Neil Mayock and Cormac Healy also scoring for the defeated S&F.

Killala kept themselves within punching distance of promotion with a 7-2 win over Ballyhaunis Town. Johnny McNulty and Vincent Kearney scored twice for the North Mayo side while Aidan Ferguson, John Clarke and Mark McLoughlin also popped up with goals. Ballyhaunis were well beaten by the time they scored their second half goals through Aidan Kelly and Michael Marigliano.

Conn Rangers came undone against a vastly superior Kiltimagh/Knock United, whose 7-3 win over the Knockmore men put them within three points of first place. K/K led 4-1 at the break with goals from Gavin Groarke, Ronan Malee, Conor Heneghan and James Carty while Aidan Gallagher got on the scoresheet for Conn. Liam Lydon opened the scoring for K/K in the second half and although Trevor Warde and James Noone got goals back for Conn Rangers, Malee and Lydon netted again to ensure a K/K victory.

In Division Three, Snugboro United came from behind in the second half to beat Castlebar Town 3-2, a low-scoring game amongst the lot. Ronan Glynn opened the scoring for Snugboro; his shot diverted in off a Castlebar defender. David Bristow brought Town level before Shane Coogan put them ahead with a superb goal. It was late but great for Snugboro. Ronan Glynn smashed in a free kick with a minute to play before Robert Ehlert netted the winner with seconds left to play.

There was one game on Thursday night; Ballyglass B fell to a 5-2 defeat against Bangor Hibs, who stay level with Partry at the top of the table. Brian McHale scored a hattrick for Hibs with Anthony Coyle and Mickey Sweeney also bagging a goal. Alan Larkin and Simon Killeen scored for the defeated Ballyglass B.

There was only one game on Saturday in Division Two but it was a big one as Conn Rangers bounced back from their defeat to K/K with a 5-4 win over Manulla. Two goals from Trevor Warde and one from Shane Bourke gave Conn the perfect start but Manulla would find themselves level halfway into the second half through Shane Durkan, Eoin Carney, Declan Tonra and Gary Durkan after Conn netted a fourth through Shane Bourke.

It would be Paul Coleman who would net the winner with ten minutes remaining as Conn went one point ahead of Manulla and six ahead of Killala and K/K with a game in hand.

Player of the week: Mark Gilbert (Iorras) netted a hat trick in a big comeback win for his side to shoot them to the top of the table.

Goal of the week: Shane Coogan (Castlebar Town) hoofed an effort in from distance in his side’s defeat to Snugboro United.

Goalkeeper of the week: It was a tough week to be a keeper in the Masters. Brendan Walsh (Manulla) may have shipped 6 goals but also made some crucial saves to make sure of the three points.